February 16, 2025

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Extend summer fun past Labor Day with these awesome NYC events

Feeling like NYC’s comeback summer went by in a flash?

Don’t fret — fall doesn’t officially start until Sept. 22, and there are plenty of fun things to do around town to extend the summer vibes before then.

All through the month, events, parties and festivals will be popping up across the five boroughs. Whether your warm-weather bucket list includes hitting up a music festival, finally catching a football game in-person or chowing down on some fantastic Italian fare, you’re in luck.

Here’s what the city’s endless summer has on tap.

Fill up on tennis — and food — at the US Open

They’ll be serving up more than tennis balls at Arthur Ashe Stadium this month.

Fans enjoy Grey Goose Honey Deuce cocktails at the 2019 US Open.
Fans enjoy Grey Goose Honey Deuce cocktails at the 2019 US Open.
Nicole Pereira/USTA

The US Open, which continues through Sept. 12, has a formidable culinary scene to go along with its high-octane athleticism. Michelin-starred celebrity chef Alex Guarnaschelli will bring a Mediterranean experience to the south plaza of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, while famed seafood chef Josh Capon will be lobbing out lobster rolls, ceviche and poké at his Fly Fish @ Oyster Bar, located in the Grandstand Food Village and Arthur Ashe.

US player Sam Querrey serves to Germany's Alexander Zverev during their 2021 US Open Tennis tournament men's singles first round match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, on August 31, 2021.
US player Sam Querrey serves to Germany’s Alexander Zverev during their 2021 US Open Tennis tournament men’s singles first round match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, on Aug. 31, 2021.
Photo by Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images

Other new additions to the Food Village include Eataly, Los Tacos No. 1, Brooklyn-based Stuf’d gourmet sandwiches, Forest Hills’ Stacked Sandwich Shop and Neapolitan pizza from San Matteo NYC.

Proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine required for those 12 and older. From $115. USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing; USOpen.org

Rave it up on Randalls Island

Hold onto the heat by moving to the beat.

After a 2020 hiatus, E-Zoo is back in business.
After a 2020 hiatus, E-Zoo is back in business.

Electronic music fans can let loose at Electric Zoo, a three-day-long party spread across several stages on Randalls Island. After a 2020 hiatus, this year’s E-Zoo lineup features headlining progressive house DJs such as Alesso, Tiësto, Kaskade, Alan Walker and Galantis, among several other huge acts in the EDM scene.

Must be 18 or older. Proof of vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test required. Friday through Sunday. From $109 each day. Randalls Island; ElectricZoo.com

Sip rosé while Fat Joe plays on Governors Island

Pinknik isn't the average wine party.
Pinknik isn’t the average wine party.
Stefano Giovannini

Looking for chill vibes, great wine and cocktails plus a star-studded music lineup? Sounds like Pinknic is perfect for you.

This massive lawn party on Governors Island is a celebration of rosé wine. They’ll be serving up the blush beverage in almost every way imaginable, from mixed cocktails to Champagne pours, along with plenty of eats and treats.

Aleksandra Wawrzyniak  and Sara Endy Pinknic.
Aleksandra Wawrzyniak and Sara Endy at Pinknic.
Stefano Giovannini

The Bronx’s own Fat Joe will headline both days of the pink party’s fifth anniversary, supported by acts including house DJ Dombresky, vocalist Nancy Whang and jazz-fusion artist Masego.

Must be 21 or older. Proof of vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test required. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m. From $79 each day. Governors Island; Pinknic.com

Admire art near Washington Square Park

After its Memorial Day weekend stint was canceled, the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit will happen twice this month.

An artist does portraits during the Washington Square Art Show.
An artist does portraits during the Washington Square Art Show.
Rebecca Pearson

This delightful, free sidewalk show in the West Village stretches down University Place, from East 13th Street down past the park at West Third Street, and will showcase some of the New York area’s finest collections of mixed media, watercolor, acrylic and oil works, along with photography, sculptures, crafts, jewelry and ceramics.

Saturday through Monday, and Sept. 11 and 12, noon to 6 p.m. WSOAE.org

Root for your home team during the Yankees-Mets 9/11 game

In the chilling weeks that followed Sept. 11, 2001, baseball helped bring New Yorkers together and heal.

Gio Urshela of the New York Yankees gets caught in a rundown as the New York Mets play the Yankees.
Gio Urshela of the New York Yankees gets caught in a rundown as the New York Mets play the Yankees.
Anthony J Causi

Twenty years later, the red-hot Yankees and Mets will play a special rendition of the Subway Series at Citi Field on 9/11. Former Mets legend Mike Piazza, who hit the go-ahead home run in the team’s first game back after the towers fell, is expected to appear in Queens that night.

First pitch at 7:40 p.m. From $127. Citi Field, Flushing; 718-507-TIXX, MLB.com/Mets

Pig out on Staten Island

Returning for its 12th year, Pig Island will unite more than 20 renowned chefs for some fine swine at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden on Saturday, Sept. 11. 

This meat meetup is one you won't want to miss out on.
This meat meetup is one you won’t want to miss out on.

This paean to all things porcine will feature the best pulled pork, ribs and other meaty delicacies from here to South Carolina. Some such treats include beer-brined smoked hog with scotch bonnet, and herb and garlic chimichurri from Kim Plafke of the Meat Hook in Williamsburg. Craft beers, hard cider and other spirits will be on on offer, too.

In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Pig Island will also be partnering with the nonprofit Friends of Firefighters to raise money and give out ceremonial awards that honor and support first responders.

Guests are encouraged to come early and hog as much food as possible in the event that some stations run dry. 

A succulent porker from Pig Island at Snug Hill.
A succulent porker from Pig Island at Snug Hill.

Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring their own picnic baskets and camping chairs for the rain-or-shine event.

Must be 21 or older. From $65. 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island; PigIsland.com

Show your pride at LadyLand

Christina Aguilera headlines a mighty and diverse lineup for this one-day festival celebrating gay pride and LGBTQ performers in North Brooklyn.

Christina Aguilera pictured performing at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas Unstoppable Weekend Grand Opening Celebration at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV on June 10, 2021.
Christina Aguilera pictured performing at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas Unstoppable Weekend Grand Opening Celebration at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV on June 10, 2021.
Erik Kabik Photography/ MediaPun

Billed as Coachella meets a Berlin nightclub, LadyLand will feature DJs, drag stars and performance art, including “xxxtreme queer wrestling”: a drag performance that aims “to intensify and make apparent the inherently flamboyant and camp elements of professional wrestling,” according to the website.

Must be 21 or older. Proof of vaccination required. Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m. From $90. Brooklyn Mirage, 140 Stewart Ave., East Williamsburg; LadyLandFestival.com

Live it up with drag queens in Queens

Bushwig, the world’s largest drag and music festival, celebrates a decade of fun and fierceness with a weekend’s worth of entertainment.

Bushwig 10 is sure to be the frag party of the year.
Bushwig 10 is sure to be the frag party of the year.

This year’s iteration, aptly named Bushwig 10, has some of the largest queer icons on the bill, including Heidi N Closet and festival founder Horrorchata, along with local legend Amanda Lepore.

Must be 21 or older. Proof of vaccination required. Sept. 11 and 12, 2 p.m. to midnight. From $80 for both days. Knockdown Center, 52-19 Flushing Ave., Maspeth, Queens; Bushwig.com

Kick off football season with the Giants and Jets

After COVID benched NYC football fans for the 2020 NFL season, this month the Giants and Jets faithful can finally return to MetLife Stadium.

New York Giants vs. New York Jets playing in the "Snoopy Bowl" at MetLife Stadium in 2019.
New York Giants vs. New York Jets playing in the “Snoopy Bowl” at MetLife Stadium in 2019.
Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

Daniel Jones and the G-Men open at home on Sept. 12 against the Denver Broncos at 4:25 p.m. and Gang Green, under the command of new quarterback Zach Wilson, will face the New England Patriots for their home opener on Sept. 19 at 1:05 p.m.

Giants tickets from $130, Jets from $66. MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ; Giants.com, NewYorkJets.com

Get saucy at San Gennaro

The beloved Figli di San Gennaro festival returns to Little Italy this month, after being sidelined by COVID-19 last year.

The opening day of the 93rd annual Feast of San Gennaro on Mulberry Street in Little Italy, Manhattan.
The opening day of the 93rd annual Feast of San Gennaro on Mulberry Street in Little Italy, Manhattan.
Taidgh Barron/NY Post

Now we have 10 days of Italian food, music and eating contests, testing who can eat the most meatballs, zeppoles and cannoli.

Love at first...bite?
Love at first…bite?
Helayne Seidman

As a way of commemorating the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, FDNY commissioner Daniel Nigro will serve as honorary grand marshal for the feast and its parade in honor of first responders.

Sept. 16 to 26, varying hours. Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets, and on Hester Street between Baxter and Centre streets, Little Italy; 212-764-6330, SanGennaroNYC.org

Eat your heart out at Eataly

If San Gennaro wasn’t enough, perhaps this will satisfy your appetite for the fine wine and delicacies of Italia.

What better way to celebrate the incoming of fall than with wine and pasta?
What better way to celebrate the incoming of fall than with wine and pasta?
Photo courtesy of Eataly

Eataly’s downtown location will be hosting an end-of-summer wine and food festa.

The party will showcase over 20 wines from all over Italy, as their respective producers and other wine experts provide a breakdown of what you’re sipping on inside the marketplace.

It will also feature live music and dancing, as guests dine on fresh pasta, scrumptious paninis, homemade gelato and some cannoli to wrap up the evening.

Proof of vaccination required. Sept. 17, 6 to 8 p.m. From $75. 101 Liberty St., third floor, Financial District; 212-897-2895, Eataly.com

Get your groove on at Governors Ball

Another iconic NYC music festival is making a return this month at Citi Field. 

A Kacey Musgraves st from Governors Ball in 2019.
A Kacey Musgraves st from Governors Ball in 2019.
Photo by: Charles Reagan Hackleman

Governors Ball is celebrating its 10th season in style, with a powerhouse lineup of headliners Billie Eilish, A$AP Rocky, Post Malone, J Balvin, Megan Thee Stallion, Rüfüs Du Sol, Ellie Goulding, Leon Bridges and 21 Savage, to name a few.

The festival happens over three days and will also feature an array of food options from local vendors such as such as Roberta’s Pizza, Dyckman Dogs, La Newyorkina frozen treats and more.

Governors Ball once again features a star studded lineup.
Governors Ball once again features a star studded lineup.
Credit:@ALIVECOVERAGE

Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test from within 72 hours of attendance required. Sept. 24 to 26. From $129. Citi Field, Flushing; GovernorsBallMusicFestival.com

Sing along at Global Citizen

Hopefully Central Park’s long-awaited “welcome back NYC” day in the sun will come when Global Citizen rocks the Great Lawn.

Lizzo Preforms onstage during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
Lizzo performs onstage during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The star-studded lineup includes Coldplay, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Jennifer Lopez, Lizzo, Meek Mill and Shawn Mendes, in addition to special guest performances by Alessia Cara, Burna Boy, Cyndi Lauper, Jon Batiste and Lang Lang.

The NYC show is also tied to a historic 24 hours of worldwide performances broadcast from Los Angeles, Paris, London, Sydney, Lagos, Nigeria, Seoul, South Korea, and Rio de Janeiro.

Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test from within 72 hours of attendance required. Sept. 25, 4 p.m. From $200. GlobalCitizen.org